The Stone Boy begins in the upstairs bedroom of Arnold who is nine-years-old and his older brother Eugene, who is fifteen. Arnold wakes first in the small bed that they share. He is disturbed to realize that while his older brother is still asleep he has an advantage over him as Eugene, being the eldest, is the higher-ranking sibling. He does not like this strange feeling so he bounces on Eugene to wake him up, reminding him that they have to pick peas early in the morning. Eugene easily reverses their positions and playfully pins Arnold.

Arnold goes downstairs and begins to load his rifle. Eugene joins him in the kitchen. Arnold watches Eugene adjust his cap. Everything that Eugene does reminds Arnold that he is the younger of the two. Eugene was the oldest, then their sister, Nora, and finally Arnold, the youngest in...